The 23-year-old El Cajon man who was shot in the face by a suicidal man who later killed a San Diego police officer spoke publicly for the first time Wednesday, saying from his hospital bed that it is a miracle he survived and that “God gave him a new life.”

A shotgun blast shattered his jaw, the inside of his mouth and bones in his face, leaving him with only four bottom teeth, family members said. He may lose sight in one eye.

One of his sisters translated for her brother, who is still improving his English after coming to the United States from Iraq in 2006. Hana lives with his parents and is one of 12 children.

Hana said he remembers walking out of the restaurant with a female friend and getting into his car. He began to put the window down because it was hot. He had just started the car when he was shot at 5:22 p.m.

He said he didn’t see the shooter or the gun. He didn’t hear the man say anything, and he doesn’t even remember hearing the shot.

Hana said he did not know his attacker, Dejon White, 23, who shot and killed San Diego police Officer Jeremy Henwood in City Heights 10 minutes later.

Hana said he was “really, really upset” when he learned that Henwood had died.

The officer was shot in his patrol car when he pulled over to contact White, whom he thought needed assistance. White was shot and killed by police a short time later after refusing to surrender.

Hana praised the doctors, nurses and other staff at Sharp Memorial Hospital. He faces more surgeries and it is unknown how much longer he will be there or whether he will fully recover, his family said.

Hana is a musician who has also worked for the U.S. Army to help teach soldiers about Iraqi customs and language.

He and members of his family attend St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Church in Rancho San Diego. He said he forgave White and that he had asked God to forgive him also.

But he said that as a good person who never hurt anyone and who always tried to help people, he is still struggling to understand why this happened.

Asked what he wants to do when he gets out of the hospital, Hana said he “just wanted to be with family and friends.”

One of his brothers, Remon Polus, 28, said he has slept in the hospital room each night since the shooting. Other family members are by Hana’s side during the day.